Bettystown/Laytown Civic Building and Library 'not at risk' from coastal erosion

Meath County Council has pushed back on claims that the Bettystown/Laytown Civic Building and Library are at risk from coastal erosion.

In a statement the Council moved to reassure the community that the building is not identified as being at risk from coastal erosion and was specifically designed to withstand flooding.

"At the Laytown–Bettystown Municipal District meeting on 5th February 2026, the Environment and Climate Action Department provided detailed presentations on the Mornington Bettystown Flood Relief Scheme (MBFRS) and the Meath Coastal Flood & Erosion Risk Management Study (CFERM)," according to the statement.

"During this meeting, specific queries were raised by Members in relation to the East Meath Civic Centre, and these queries were fully addressed.

"The presentation delivered at the MD meeting included slides highlighting certain locations along the Meath coastline where elevated coastal erosion risk has been identified and where intervention measures may be required.

"While some properties in the wider vicinity of the Civic Building/Library were identified for assessment, the CFERM Study does not identify the Civic Building itself as being at risk, nor does it recommend erosion protection measures for this structure.

Cllr Maria White had claimed following the 5th February meeting, the building which was officially opened last year was 'at direct risk' of erosion.

The Meath County Council statement continued:

"Any suggestion that the building is at “direct risk” is not supported by the study or any information presented to elected members.

"At the meeting, Council officials confirmed that the Civic Building:

Was specifically designed to withstand flooding,

• Uses flood‑resilient materials throughout the ground floor, and

• Incorporates coastal‑erosion‑resilience features in its construction.

• These engineering measures were incorporated from the outset, ensuring the building’s suitability for its coastal location."

The statement continues that in 2024, Meath County Council initiated a full Coastal Flooding and Erosion Risk Management (CFERM) assessment of the entire Meath coastline.

"This in‑depth study — delivered by specialists in coastal engineering — will:

Identify any areas requiring intervention

• Provide a full appraisal of existing coastal defences

• Make recommendations for future works where appropriate

• The Council has engaged closely with the Office of Public Works (OPW) throughout this process and will continue that collaboration once the final report is completed.

"Meath County Council wishes to reassure the community that the East Meath Civic Building/Library is not identified as being at risk from coastal erosion, and no such recommendation has been made in any technical assessment or in any presentation to elected members. and no such recommendation has been made in any technical assessment or in any presentation to elected members," the council concluded.